Joint Commerce / USTR Readout of Fifth IPEF Negotiating Round - Bangkok

The U.S. Department of Commerce and the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) participated in the fifth in-person negotiating round for the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) in Bangkok, Thailand, from September 10-16, 2023.

The U.S. delegation was co-led by Sharon H. Yuan, U.S. Department of Commerce Counselor and IPEF Pillars II-IV Chief Negotiator, and Sarah Ellerman, Assistant United States Trade Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific and IPEF Pillar I Chief Negotiator.

Building on the discussions that took place during the fourth negotiating round in Busan, South Korea, in July 2023, the IPEF partners continued to make progress on negotiations towards high-standard outcomes under Pillars I (Trade), III (Clean Economy), and IV (Fair Economy).

Officials also continued discussions on the next steps for the proposed IPEF Supply Chain Agreement (Pillar II) following the substantial conclusion of negotiations in May and public release of the text on September 7.

During the negotiating round, the U.S. Department of Commerce and USTR also briefed congressional committee staff and cleared advisors in attendance.

IPEF Negotiating Rounds and Ministerial Meetings

On June 29, 2023, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo hosted an IPEF virtual ministerial meeting, where the IPEF partners reaffirmed their shared commitment to ambitious outcomes in Pillars III (Clean Economy) and IV (Fair Economy) and discussed the importance of delivering concrete benefits, including technical assistance and capacity building to support future implementation of the high standard commitments envisioned under the two pillars.

The IPEF partners met in Detroit, Michigan, for a ministerial meeting on May 27, during which they recognized the progress made in Pillars I (Trade), III (Clean Economy) and IV (Fair Economy), and announced the substantial conclusion of negotiations on a landmark IPEF Supply Chain Agreement under Pillar II.

The first negotiating round was held in Brisbane, Australia, from December 10-12, 2022, followed by a special negotiating round on Pillars II-IV in New Delhi, India, from February 8-11, 2023. The second negotiating round was held in Bali, Indonesia, from March 13-19, 2023, followed by the third negotiating round in Singapore from May 8-15, 2023, and the fourth negotiating round in Busan, South Korea, from July 9-15, 2023.